Graduate nursing pathways include the traditional MSN, RN-to-MSN, accelerated ASN-to-MSN, DNP, and PhD for nurse scientists. You’re not alone. At the undergraduate level, the college offers both a traditional BSN and an accelerated 15-month program for students with a bachelor’s degree in another discipline. Clemson recently launched an online post-master’s DNP program, and it also teaches an innovative PhD in healthcare genetics. Because of that, we’re looking at the best schools for nurses in different regions across the country based on ratings in our Nurse’s Guide to Nursing Schools , and this week we’re taking a look at five of the best schools in the South. #61: Auburn University | Auburn, ALAuburn University School of Nursing (AUSON) is one of the nation’s top providers of care to communities around the world that lack adequate healthcare. The College of Health Sciences is home to the Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing, which has several CCNE-accredited programs. The DNP program has entry points for both BSN and MSN degree-holders. The program blends liberal arts and humanistic theory with upper-division nursing courses to ideally prepare graduates for careers in a number of healthcare fields. Along with that, there are many clubs, organizations, honor societies, Greek organizations to be a part of. Just as impressively, recent MSN cohorts – including the adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner track – have achieved a 100% pass rate on their certification exams. The ADN prepares students to take the NCLEX licensure examination and assume entry-level employment as registered nurses. 2021 Best Nursing Schools in Washington The Washington Coalition for Nursing has been pushing for legislation for a bachelor’s degree to be the minimal requirement for licensure. Address: 47 Joe Slovo St, Central, Kwazulu Natal, 4001, South Africa, Durban. Even with a 3.5 GPA. By contrast, the four-year BSN program is campus-based and graduates approximately 100 newly minted nurses each spring. Traditional students can pursue a BSN that integrates nursing and the liberal arts, while students with a bachelor’s degree in another field can earn an accelerated second degree in just 18 months. Nowadays, British nursing schools rank at the top of the world. The Department of Nursing offers several undergraduate pathways and graduate specialization options. Approximately 80% of CCHS nursing students take a position with Atrium Health upon graduation. #57: Gardner-Webb University | Boiling Springs, NCThe Hunt School of Nursing at Gardner-Webb University is part of the College of Health Sciences. The DNP curriculum features online coursework conducted in small cohorts, typically just 20-25 students apiece. In addition to BSN, MSN, DNP, and graduate certificate programs, the school offers a unique concurrent enrollment option. Students in the RN-BSN program at Western Carolina University can add to their experience in nursing by taking courses in research, leadership, and community health. The vast majority of graduate instruction is delivered online. More filters Sort Most info English courses available Scholarships available THE Rankings Popularity Reviews University College Dublin Ireland. #90: Queens University of Charlotte | Charlotte, NCThe Presbyterian School of Nursing at Queens University of Charlotte offers both BSN and MSN degree programs. BSN students are admitted from three groups: first-time freshmen, transfer students, and existing students who wish to change their major. Graduate nursing students can pursue four NP specialties (adult health, pediatrics, family, psychiatric-mental health), an adult-gerontology CNS degree, or a focus on nursing leadership in healthcare innovations. Finally, doctoral candidates can enroll in either a post-baccalaureate curriculum with an FNP focus or a post-master’s pathway. Earning a master of business administration (MBA) can help professionals advance into management roles and increase their earning potential. The center was recognized in 2010 as a Laerdal Center of Educational Excellence. Luckily, many colleges and universities recognize the needs of nontraditional students and have created specialized programs in response. PBA’s traditional BSN program graduates 40-60 students annually, with an outstanding 92% NCLEX exam pass rate since 2010. The DNP program offers both post-baccalaureate and post-master’s pathways, with concentrations of study in acute care and primary care. Marymount University also offers a hybrid online RN-to-BSN program, an MSN degree with a family nurse practitioner focus, and an online DNP program that requires just one on-campus component per semester. The RN-BSN program requires that prospective students have either been practicing as a registered nurse for six months, or plan to practice while studying at James Madison. The list of top nursing schools has been prepared with the help of various factors such as architecture, world-class facilities, world-class faculty, technology, infrastructure, US News and World Report, and world-class opportunities. #6: Medical University of South Carolina | Charleston, SCMUSC College of Nursing has been ranked #3 in the nation among online graduate nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report. At the graduate level, FAU offers both DNP and PhD programs, plus a rich breadth of MSN specializations including administration, holistic nursing, education, clinical nurse leader, and two nurse practitioner roles. Prospective students must have an Associate Degree in Nursing. #43: Baptist Health Sciences University | Memphis, TNBaptist University prepares students for careers of service and leadership by providing a comprehensive health sciences education in an environment of Christian principles. The School of Nursing graduates 130-160 prelicensure students each year; these graduates have achieved an excellent 92% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. Some of these schools have yet to receive recognition from national publications, yet deserve consideration from aspiring nurses looking for a more affordable or accessible nursing school option. These BSN students have posted an impressive 97% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensure exam over the past five years. A member of the respected UHealth family, SONHS offers BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD degrees. This program meets the needs of working professional nurses by offering all its courses online. A-List ratings based on standards of affordability, accessibility, quality of education, and nursing board exam pass rates. For more rankings in this series, see: Top 10 Up and Coming Nursing Schools in the East; Top 10 Up and Coming Nursing Schools in the South The direct-entry MSN program graduates approximately 150 new nurses annually who have passed the NCLEX exam at a 93% first-try rate over the past decade. In this ranking, we explore the best value online doctorate information security programs available today. Not surprisingly, the college’s ADN graduates have passed the NCLEX licensure exam at a 95% rate over the past seven years, one of the strongest pass rates in the state. The nursing school has an impressive 82% employment rate immediately after graduation, and students have landed positions at more than 500 diverse clinical sites nationwide. The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing offers a selective and competitive ADN-BSN program to prepare nurses to provide a higher quality of care to their patients and to lead interprofessional teams in a variety of clinical settings. Students pursing an RN-BSN at William Carey University can take courses that cover diverse, useful topics including pathophysiology, gerontology, management, research, and professional writing. At the graduate level, MSN students can access a curriculum developed in consortium with McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Undergraduates can pursue a traditional on-campus BSN or the RN-to-BSN gateway program. Chatsmed Candlelight Nursing School. Courses are taught by highly qualified and distinguished faculty who are both professional educators and dedicated health care practitioners. The university graduates approximately forty prelicensure BSN students each year, with a solid 88% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. ASN graduates passed the test at a 98% rate, while BSN graduates did so at a 99% rate. This highly competitive program is accredited by the Virginia State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. 3. The MSN program also partners with Vanderbilt Divinity School to offer two innovative dual degrees. The DNP program is specifically tailored towards rural care scenarios. The prelicensure pathways graduate approximately 250 students annually, with an excellent 91% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. #64: Palm Beach Atlantic University | West Palm Beach, FLThe School of Nursing at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) offers a traditional four-year BSN, an online RN-to-BSN, an MSN in health systems leadership, and a multifaceted DNP. The college offers both a traditional ADN program and an LPN-to-ADN matriculation option. These students have passed the NCLEX exam at a stellar 98% first-attempt rate over the past decade. South College School of Nursing (BSN), Knoxville; Tennessee State University College of Nursing, Nashville; Tennessee Technological University, School of Nursing (BSN, MSN), Cookeville; University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing (BSN, MSN, FNP), Memphis; Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville; Texas. Undergraduates who are new to nursing may enroll in a traditional prelicensure BSN program, while ADN- or diploma-prepared nurses can enter the school’s online RN-to-BSN program. Each spring, UAMS graduates 100-175 BSN students who perform very strongly on the licensure exam, including an NCLEX pass rate of 91% over the past ten years. UofL also offers a master’s entry into professional nursing (MEPN) pathway for candidates with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The Top 100 nursing schools for 2021 rankings below … Graduates of this program have performed extremely well on the NCLEX-RN exam, posting a 95% pass rate over the past eight years. Students enjoy a small-school academic environment, with access to world-class clinical experiences at Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center and its multidisciplinary Carolinas Simulation Center. The School of Nursing has prepared nearly 2,000 students to serve in hospitals, special care facilities, schools, community agencies, and the military. #33: University of North Carolina at Wilmington | Wilmington, NCThe UNC Wilmington School of Nursing has 1,000 current students and more than 2,100 alumni in North Carolina alone. Georgetown University. The school graduates approximately 300 students annually across these BSN programs. The nursing PhD program just enrolled its first cohort. The university’s graduate nursing curriculum includes an MSN for aspiring family nurse practitioners and a DNP in nurse anesthesia. Graduates are prepared to work in major medical centers or small community hospitals or to continue on to earn their master's degree. The school offers several prelicensure pathways including a traditional ASN degree, an LPN-to-RN bridge program, and a recently launched four-year BSN degree. The prelicensure track graduates 150-175 students annually; over the past decade, these graduates have posted a 97% NCLEX pass rate. The school offers MSN, DNP, and nursing science PhD programs, all of which can be completed predominantly online with just a few required visits to campus. The School offers an online RN-BSN track for current registered nurses who may begin coursework in either the spring or fall semester. Chatsmed Candlelight Nursing School is the only private nursing school that is included here in the article for best nursing schools in South Africa. Selecting the best nursing school in South Carolina can be difficult. Many nursing schools in the South are expanding their facilities and program offerings to accommodate the increasing demand for highly trained nurses in the region and across the nation. A member of Covenant Health, the region’s largest health system, the school has produced more than 4,500 nurse graduates. The BSN has three pathways: a traditional track, an accelerated second degree option, and an online RN-to-BSN degree completion program. #93: University of Memphis | Memphis, TNThe University of Memphis’s Loewenberg College of Nursing is home to more than 1,000 students enrolled on two physical campuses – the flagship Memphis campus and the Lambuth campus in Jackson, TN – as well as online. Undergraduates can pursue either a prelicensure BSN or an RN-to-BSN degree completion pathway. Full-time and part-time options are available. The BSN program graduates approximately 100 students annually, with a strong 92% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. The college also offers graduate certificate programs in four nurse practitioner specialties, clinical nurse specialist, and populations and organizational systems leadership. It takes into account the most recent NCLEX pass rates and acceptance rates. At the University of South Carolina Aiken School of Nursing, students will receive the education and preparation to practice professional nursing in a variety of settings and the background to continue on to graduate level studies. At the graduate level, LSU Health offers two MSN specializations (clinical nurse leader, nurse educator), an impressive 11 distinct DNP concentrations, and the unique Doctor of Nursing Science degree program. #46: Tennessee Tech University | Cookeville, TNTennessee Tech University is home to the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing. The Georgia Baptist School of Nursing offers licensed registered nurses the opportunity to complete their esteemed RN-BSN program by taking classes either full-time or part-time. GMU also offers MSN concentrations for aspiring nurse educators, nurse practitioners, and nursing administrators; an RN-to-MSN bridge program; post-master’s certificates for aspiring nurse educators and family psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners; and both types of doctoral nursing degrees (DNP and PhD). Best nursing schools in South Carolina. The RN-BSN program at West Liberty University is geared towards nurses working full-time. Coursework is delivered online, with clinical requirements completed in students’ hometowns. View 13 Nursing courses. Specialty tracks are offered in five nurse practitioner fields. #96: Appalachian State University | Boone, NCThe Department of Nursing at Appalachian State University offers traditional BSN, RN-to-BSN, and MSN programs. University of South Florida is a public school. RS-BSN students are exposed to topics in all three areas, as well as pathophysiology and gerontology. Even students who don't receive financial aid can earn all their nursing credits for just $9,000 (this doesn't include general education). The ADN program graduates 80-100 students annually across its traditional and LPN bridge tracks. The DNP program is offered in an online, executive-style format with minimal campus requirements. #23: Marymount University | Arlington, VAThe Malek School of Health Professions houses the Marymount University Department of Nursing. The RN-BSN program at West Kentucky University allows students to complete their degree quickly and with flexibility. JMU offers a broad range of nursing programs, from traditional BSN and RN-to-BSN pathways to MSN and DNP degrees. The BSN offering, launched in 2010, is an RN completion program that requires just 121 credit hours to earn a baccalaureate degree. Samford’s graduate nursing curriculum includes specialty programs for family nursing practice, health systems and administration, nursing anesthesia, and nurse education. #40: University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FLIn July 2005, UNF selected the College of Health’s School of Nursing as its first flagship program. More than 1,240 students are enrolled in CCN’s traditional BSN program. This makes Duke the No. Over the last decade, UK’s 160-200 annual BSN graduates have enjoyed an astonishing 97% NCLEX pass rate, including four consecutive years of 99% or higher. Many veterans will earn their BSN degree in just 11 months of fulltime study. ODU’s prelicensure BSN graduates have consistently earned high marks on the NCLEX-RN exam, with 90% passing on the first attempt over the last decade. It is the only Arkansas university with four distinct programs – BSN, MSN, APRN certificates, and DNP – all maximally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. UNC Wilmington’s prelicensure BSN students have enjoyed a strong 95% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. The CARE BSN is designed for individuals who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The program requires 27 credits of general education course work and 30 credits of nursing course work, with an additional 30 credits awarded for passing the NCLEX examination. The university also recently launched a DNP program, a practice-oriented terminal degree that includes both MSN and BSN entry points. Undergraduates can pursue five pathways to a BSN degree: traditional, accelerated, LPN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN, and a unique First Step to BSN program which helps adult students with few college credits earn their degree. This pathway enables qualified students to complete associate of applied science (AAS) requirements, take the NCLEX-RN exam, and then earn the BSN degree with just one or two additional semesters of study. In addition to enjoying coursework in areas like Pathophysiology and Issues in Professional Nursing, UTC students also receive amenities such as free admission to the Aquatics and Recreation Center, lending privileges at the Lupton Library, and free CARTA bus transportation. The MSN has role options in education and health systems leadership; post-master’s certification is also available in both areas. The college also offers two pathways to the BSN degree: a traditional prelicensure program and an RN-to-BSN degree completion program. More recently, the School of Nursing initiated Lee University’s first doctoral program, a doctor of nursing practice degree. This provides nursing students the opportunity to gain experience in the full spectrum of medicine, from tertiary/quaternary care hospitals to small-town solo practices. #99: Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, GAKennesaw State University is home to the WellStar School of Nursing, the largest nursing school in northern Georgia. Opportunities to engage in faculty-led undergraduate research projects in fields of study such as Computer-Based Simulation for Pediatric Pain Management Education and "Asking Questions, Understanding Asthma" (AQUA) are available. Not only this, but of the 10 top nursing schools in the world, five of them are claimed by the US. Courses include Community-Focused Nursing, Human Experience of Disability, and Leadership in Nursing Practice. Graduates have also excelled in healthcare systems leadership positions throughout the state of Kentucky. Students can choose between enrolling full time for one year or enrolling part time for two years. It's difficult to beat University of Saint Joseph if you wish to pursue nursing as a major. Graduate options include MSN, post-bachelor’s DNP, and post-master’s DNP programs. The School of Nursing also offers an RN-to-BSN degree completion program, two MSN majors (FNP and NED), a post-master’s FNP certificate, and a post-master’s DNP that can be completed in just five semesters of fulltime study. Approximately 100 traditional prelicensure students and 30 accelerated second degree students graduate from the BSN program each year. These students can work as registered nurses while in school and obtain a higher degree to increase their career prospects. The school offers three BSN pathways (traditional, accelerated second degree, RN-to-BSN), three MSN tracks for aspiring nurse practitioners (family, adult-gerontology acute care, adult-gerontology primary care), and two doctoral degrees with a hybrid online format (DNP, PhD). #35: Eastern Mennonite University | Harrisonburg, VAEastern Mennonite University offers both undergraduate and fully online graduate programs in nursing. Students who have completed Associate degrees in Nursing and have passed the NCLEX, thus becoming registered nurses, can apply to RN-BSN programs and earn a full Bachelor’s degree in an accelerated time frame – sometimes just a year! Undergraduates can pursue a traditional prelicensure BSN, an online RN-to-BSN program, or a unique Bachelor of Science in Clinical Research degree – one of just four such programs in the United States. Post-master’s certificates are also available in several nurse practitioner specializations. The nursing curriculum at Bob Jones University includes six semesters of clinical experience rather than the standard four. The university also launched the state’s first nurse practitioner program and its first BSN-to-PhD track. Spalding offers several baccalaureate nursing pathways (traditional, second degree accelerated, RN-to-BSN) and two graduate nursing degrees (MSN and DNP). 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